Level



H. l. SMITH Dec. 25, 1962 LEVEL Filed May 12, 1961 INVENTOR Aaezy Z9570/ BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oilice Far-tented Dec. 25, 1962ind.

This invention relates to a level, and has as its primary object theprovision of an improved level which will establish a predetermineddesired angle, and which may be set at that angle in the construction ofrafters, for roofing, in the digging of ditches having a desired angleof inclination, or at any other occupation wherein it is desired tomeasure and maintain a particular angular relation with a level surface.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter which may be so constructed that a level angle may bepredeterminend by means of a protractor scale in the exterior of thelevel, and when the angle is obtained the protractor is secured inposition, and so arranged that when the article is moved, thepredetermined angle may be remeasured in any other remote locality.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable andefficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufacture, assemble, and utilize.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements ofparts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointedout hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there isdisclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of one form of level embodyingelements of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 22 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 ofP16. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the level shown as set at adesired angle relative to a fiat surface.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the level of the instantinvention is generally indicated at ii? and comprises an elongatedmember 11 having a fiat level surface 12 on the underside thereof. Thedevice is provided with a central section 13, which is provided with atransversely extending cylindrical bore 14- extending entirelytherethrough.

Interiorly of the bore 14 there is positioned a ring or annulus 15having an internal shoulder 16. The annulus 15s is provided with agroove 17 adjacent one face thereof in which is set a glass panel orpane i8. Pane i3 is held in position by an annular ring 19 having acentral opening 23 therein, as by means of screws it which extendthrough suitable spaced openings in ring 19 and into appropriate bores22; in the rim of annulus l5.

Seating on the shoulder 16 is the bore 23 of a generally circular ring24, having an internally positioned substantially U-shaped frame formingshoulders .25, across which extends a conventional bubble level 27having its ends inset in the shoulders. The level 27 is provided withthe usual leveling marks 28 and contains the customary interior bubble29. The member 24- includes an integral ring 3 9 which seats in a grooveor channel 31 in the face of annulus l5, and is closed by a glass pane32 which is held in position by means of a ring 33 similar to thepreviously described ring 1%, and screws 34 which extend 2 into suitablebores 35 in annulus 15. In order to provide for line adjustment of thebubble level 27 elongated arcuate grooves 36 are cut into the rim So sothat the entire level assembly including the shoulders 25 and theassociated level 27 may be minutely varied to accommodate for changes intemperature, wear, or other conditions.

Attached to the ring 33 is a pointer 3'7 which is held in position byone of the screws 34 and positioned about the exterior of plate 33 in anarcuate protractor scale 40 which is marked off in degrees. Thearrangement is thus such that both rings 33 and 19 are rotatabletogether with annular ring 15, and by their rotation vary the level ofthe internally positioned bubble level 27. Thus the pointer 37 may beset to any desired angle of inclination, and when the bottom surface 12is positioned on a flat surface 41, as seen in FIG. 4, the angularity ofthe level lid is varied until the bubble 29 is centered in the bubblelevel 27, then the angle indicated by the arrow 42. in FIG. 4 will beidentical to the angle indicated by the arrow 43 which is the anglemeasured on the protractor scale as.

In order to hold the annulus 15 in a desired position of adjustment aset screw 45 having a head 46 extends through a threaded bore 47 in abushing 48 which is provided with a flange 49, the flange seating in anopenin 5t} interiorly of the level, and the bushing 4% extending throughan appropriate bore to the top edge 5 thereof. Obviously, tightening ofthe head 46 will serve to tighten the screw 45 so that its point 52engages the annulus 15 and securely holds the same in any desiredposition of adjustment.

Rotation of the annulus 15 is facilitated by a pair of protuberances orknobs 55 which are suitably screwed into the surface of ring 33 onopposite sides thereof so that the entire assembly may be moved with aminimum of effort and difficulty.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved level which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, andothers, including many advantages of great practical utility andcommercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

In a level, in combination, an elongated fiat surfaced member having acentral bore therethrough, an annulus mounted for rotation in said bore,a bubble level extending transversely across said annulus, a protractorscale on said member around said bore, a pointer on said annulus forindicating angularity on said scale, said annulus having a transparentpane at each open end thereof, a fiat ring at each end holding saidannulus in said bore and said panes in said annulus, said annuluscontaining a U-shaped frame having legs forming spaced parallelshoulders and having a ring integrally associated therewith, the ends ofsaid bubble level being inset in the shoulders of said U- shaped frame,operating handles associated with said annulus for facilitating rotationthereof, and means comprising arcuate grooves formed in said ringadjacent its periphery and screws extending through said flat rings intosaid grooves permitting rotation of said U-shaped frame relative to saidannulus to adjust said bubble level.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS742,010 Davis Oct. 20, 1903 796,582 Ketchum Aug. 8, 1905 1,830,009Walters Nov. 13, 1931 2,541,880 McMillan et al Feb. 13, 1951 UNTTEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,069 ,782December 25 1962 Harry I, Smith It is hereby certified that errorappears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that thesaid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant lines 1 and 12 and in the heading to the printedspecification, line 3, for "Harry L, Smith" read Harry 1. Smith Signedand sealed this 7th day of November 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, J1.

Gommissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

